Construction set to begin in 2008

The Daily Inter Lake

After weeks of deliberation and lobbying by all sides, the Montana Department of Transportation has determined that the south half of the U.S. 93 bypass should be built before the north half.

The decision was announced on Friday.

"All options had merit," said department director Jim Lynch in a press release. "There were a number of things to consider, but MDT is committed to delivering solutions that meet the community's needs."

The agency also agreed that the West Reserve Loop will take priority over any other section of the bypass.

The Loop is a new, four-lane road that will run about one mile, from the intersection of Stillwater Road and West Reserve southeast to U.S. 93, adjacent Glacier High School and Costco. It will eventually extend east of the highway, angling north behind Home Depot and reconnecting to West Reserve Drive.

That project should be under construction next spring, with a target completion date of next fall - coinciding with the opening of the new high school.

Construction on the south half of the bypass is expected to begin in 2008. That segment will run from Gardner's Auction to U.S. 2, just west of Appleway Drive.

The Department of Transportation only has enough money to work on one section of the 8-mile-long bypass at a time.

The Kalispell Technical Advisory Committee, which oversees transportation improvements in the Kalispell area, recommended building the north half first. The Kalispell City Council and Flathead County commissioners, together with downtown Kalispell business owners, supported the south half.

Initially, however, it seems likely that nobody will be getting what they thought they would get.

The entire bypass is estimated to cost about $76 million, but the state currently only has $30 million for construction - including the West Reserve Loop, which could cost about $2 million itself. Another $8.2 million is included in a federal spending bill that will be voted on in January.

Without the $8.2 million, the state can only afford to build two lanes along the entire southern section, rather than the four-lane route that's been discussed in recent years.

Moreover, the intersection at Airport Road would be at ground level, rather than feature an overpass. Nor would there be any access ramps, meaning nobody could get on or off the bypass between Airport Road and U.S. 2.

If the additional $8.2 million is appropriated, four lanes could be constructed for 3.5 miles, with the remaining half-mile being two lanes.

As additional federal funding is made available, the bypass would be upgraded to four lanes and access ramps added, after which work could proceed on the north half.

Reporter William Spence may be reached at 758-4459 or by e-mail a wspence@dailyinterlake.com